"So you're... moving?" Tobias asked with a half skeptical half confused expression.

On the other hand Marcus just looked at (Y/n) with slight concern and a paternal smile, worried that this decision might be more impulsive than it was wise. But (Y/n) had made up her mind.

She was going to live with Lupita. A decision that she was sure would benefit both herself and her two hosts.

So in spite of the guilt needling at her heart as she met Tobias's gaze, (Y/n) didn't back down and instead straightened her posture.

"That's the plan, yes." She said, "Lupita offered for me to come live with her and help me find a job so that I can look out for myself. And I know you guys probably aren't too sure about this, but I trust Lupita and I honestly think this is for the best."

Tobias wanted to listen to (Y/n), truly he did, even more so considering he had come to the same conclusion just the night before. It was true that (Y/n) moving out and away from him was for the best. Both for himself and for her. But even so, he couldn't help the panicked thoughts in his mind to take over.

She can't. What if this Lupita is a threat? What if something happens to her and I'm not here?

What if she gets into trouble and gets kidnapped, hurt or killed?

What if I can't protect her?

It'sdangerousit'sdangerousit'sdangerous-

All were thoughts that had Tobias's stomach tying into knots and dread washing over him in cold tidal waves. Unstoppable and destructive.

"It's not safe." He said, the muscles in his jaw tensing and flexing as he stared at (Y/n) with crossed arms. "You just met her. You don't know her."

"I didn't know you either when I first came here." (Y/n) argued back, more so to defend her point than out of annoyance with his words. And it was true, when (Y/n) first arrived in the city she didn't know who Tobias was, and had no idea what his intentions were. But it wasn't the same! Tobias would have never hurt (Y/n). The very idea of it made him sick to his stomach and the simple fact she could ever allude to it really didn't sit well with him.

"I would never hurt you." Tobias shook his head in dismissal, "You know this."

(Y/n) opened her mouth as if to say something, but held herself back and pressed her lips in a tight line. Only for Marcus to say what had been on her mind in her stead.

"You're right, Tobias. We know you would have never hurt (Y/n), nor me." The old man said with a gentle smile, his wrinkled hand giving Tobias's shoulder a squeeze. "But it's (Y/n)'s choice to make. Not yours, not mine. And if (Y/n) thinks that living with Lupita is what's best for her, then we have to trust her good judgment and encourage her to do what's in her best interest. Don't you agree, son?"

Tobias's eyes strayed to Marcus, thoughts racing in his head as he considered his grandfather's words.

Marcus was right. If Tobias was in his right mind, he'd never consider restricting (Y/n)'s freedom and choosing for her just for the sake of keeping her safe from a potential threat.

This was his Infection talking, not him.

He had to get a grip.

"Right." Tobias finally relented, jaw tight as he gritted the words out.

(Y/n) heaved a relieved sigh, a smile finally gracing her lips, a sight that both eased Tobias's heart and made it crumble in his chest.

"Thank you guys for helping me and giving me a home when I needed one." She said, her eyes momentarily meeting his. "I promise not to become a stranger and to find a way to pay you back."

"You don't owe us anything, (Y/n)." Marcus said with a tender smile. "It was a pleasure having you here, my child."

(Y/n)'s heart filled with gratitude at those words. Marcus and Tobias had been nothing but good to her, and although Marcus said she didn't owe them anything, (Y/n) still wanted to pay them back for what they had done for her. A few weeks ago they were just strangers and they had become precious friends, and for this she was forever grateful. Even if Tobias had his moments.

"Thank you both." (Y/n) continued with a thankful smile, "I don't have much to pack, so it should be quick."

With those words, (Y/n) stood up from her seat around the kitchen table and left for her room. Tobias's eyes following her form all along.

A simple detail that didn't escape Marcus's analytic gaze.

"I never saw you this worried about anyone." Marcus said looking back at Tobias with a scrutinizing gaze that didn't sit well with Tobias, "Not even me."

Marcus was no fool, and he knew Tobias like the back of his hand from having raised him all these years. And in this moment Tobias knew that his grandfather had seen right through him.

"Remember who you are, Tobias. And remember that distance and time are the best cures." Marcus continued, before standing up from his own seat at the table. "Don't let this side of you take over."

Shame and guilt crawled up Tobias's neck and forced his head down, his throat tightening uncomfortably.

He wanted to disappear. To escape the cage of his own body and flee from the murky waters of his own thoughts. Wanted to run away from the monster he had always feared he'd become and go back to being himself. To being the good person Marcus had always believed him to be.

So Tobias would try his hardest to win over his Infection, to listen to Marcus and let distance and time do the healing. He could do this.

Or so he thought.

















































































"It's really nice to meet you, (Y/n)." Lupita's mother, Adelaide, greeted with a tired smile.

As soon as (Y/n) had packed her things, she had joined Lupita outside and had followed her towards her home. It wasn't too far away from Tobias and Marcus's home, but a bit farther away on the edges of the city and hidden by large trees and greenery. It kind of reminded (Y/n) of her own home back in the Uninfected Community.

Isolated, surrounded by nature and rustic.

Apparently it was Lupita's grandfather who had built it with his own two hands to ensure his Uninfected family a shelter from the Infected city. (Y/n) was admirative to say the least.

When they had entered, Lupita had hurried to prepare (Y/n)'s room for her, leaving (Y/n) alone with Adelaide and a cozy living room that clearly reflected Lupita's tastes. An old leather couch with some fluffy pillows and a hand knitted plaid, a wooden coffee table with incense, some plants and a few crystals here and there. (Y/n)' s attention was especially piqued by the large amethyst sitting in a corner of the room on a windowsill.

"Nice to meet you too, madam. And thank you so much for having me. I promise not to be a weight on your shoulders and to find a job as soon as possible to pay you back for your hospitality." (Y/n) answered with a smile and a shy bow of her head.

Maybe (Y/n) was being a bit too heavy on formalities, but she really wanted to convey to Adelaide just how grateful she was for the help she was being given. Adelaide didn't have to accept Lupita's request of letting (Y/n) into their home. Still, Adelaide accepted right away without a second thought, immediately showering (Y/n) with warmth.

"No worries, take your time to settle in." Adelaide continued, maneuvering her wheelchair towards the kitchen. "It's our pleasure to have another girl in the house. And Uninfected got to help each other, right?"

Warmth prickled at (Y/n)'s chest at those words, a soft smile curving her lips.

"I guess you're right."

Shortly after and before an awkward silence could settle in, Lupita walked back in the room with a grin.

"You can come now."

(Y/n) nodded her head and followed Lupita through the house until they stopped in front of her assigned bedroom. Much like her room back at Marcus's it was a cozy space that (Y/n) was eager to make her own. With a simple bed with linen lilac bed sheets, an extra knitted blanket, a wooden desk and a comfortable looking chair, some shelves with other potted plants and a big window.

(Y/n) could see the influence of Lupita's tastes here as well, and she loved it.

She would really need to take a leaf out of Lupita's book in terms of fashion and aesthetic.

"Make yourself at home." Lupita told her with a warm smile, tucking her hands in the pockets of her jean jacket.

(Y/n) couldn't help but find it cute.





























































































Jasper had no idea why (Y/n) would be anywhere else other than at her house on a late night, but there he was, in front of an unknown house observing his beloved darling from outside. A house he probably wouldn't have even stumbled upon if his Infected senses and intuition hadn't led him here.

Not that it made much of a difference to him, as long as he was able to get his daily dose of stalking (Y/n) Jasper was fine with anything.

Still, he wondered if something might have happened with her family for her to suddenly decide to take her things and leave, or if this was just a matter for a single night.

Either way, Jasper stood outside, hidden behind bushes and shadows, observing (Y/n)'s every move as she unpacked her bag in one of the unoccupied rooms in the house. He could finally breathe without the uncomfortable pressure on his chest that weighed him down whenever he was away from his darling, and could finally rest at ease with a fresh mind that wasn't crowded with ache for her.

(Y/n) really was the cure to all his problems, as long as she was here everything was fine.

A contented sigh left Jasper as he stared at her. She looked happy, and just the sight of her bright expression had Jasper smiling in bliss. He couldn't wait to be the cause of her happiness, couldn't wait to show her just how much he adored her and watch her unravel for him. Just the thought of it had his heart racing in his chest and ecstasy flooding his veins.

(Y/n) tiredly took off her shirt, exposing her smooth skin to Jasper's prying eyes. But as much as Jasper ached to see more, he was still a gentleman and he knew not to watch a lady undress without her consent. Even more so when (Y/n) had no idea he was watching her.

So he turned around, his back to her, and patiently waited for (Y/n) to be done. And when she was, he happily waited for her to climb under the covers and watch her sleep. Blissfully unaware of the pink eyes that observed him from the darkness a few feet away.

Penelope's eyes didn't stay on Jasper long though, soon straying to (Y/n)'s window too. And Penelope couldn't really pinpoint why, but suddenly she didn't find herself caring about Jasper's presence as much anymore.

The idea of (Y/n) totally wiping Jasper away from Penelope's mind.